Tire rotation and ESP on a JK

[csm]

I have a 08 Sahara Unlimited and have had two different dealerships refuse to add my spare in the mix on tire rotations because "The difference in tread depth will mess up the ESP".  Any truth to this?

[hps4evr]

if i remember ill ask at my dealership tomorrow. you could get another fullsize spare to rotate 2 tires into the mix, but thats a hassle.

[HeadHunter]

look into the ESP override options (JP mag & others) and get rid of that crap, then do what you want.

[w squared]

Tell those dealers that they're full of crap.

I run a five tire rotation on my JK. My dealer actually does the rotation for me. No ESP problems at all.

The only caveat here is that the fist rotation occured at 8000km, so there wasn't much tread depth difference.

If there's such a big difference in tread depth and it's goign to cause the ESP grief, then what are you supposed to do when you get a flat? Why would they bother with a full-size spare if the difference in tread depth would send the ESP loopy?

[WhiteOut]

w: how are you doing your 5 tire rotation.  Im gonna do mine in a week or so and want to add my spare in

[sn4cktime]

Like so - Diagram G


You likely don't have any sort of directional tread so you should be good to go.

If you're worried about the ESP going off, just rotate it into service as a rear tire first.  Thing is mondo sensitive.  If you put it on the front it WILL throw the ESP on all over the place.  My 35's like to flick the stability control on all the time.  Especially if I go around curves too fast / or too sharp.  By putting it on the rear it might wear down a little faster until it's more evenly treaded with the other rear.  Doing a burn-out or two might help it along as well...

This all reminds me that I'm coming up on my 3K on my tires and have to rotate them.... uggghhh.  So heavy.  Maybe I'll sneak it into the shop tomorrow.

ALSO reminds me to tell my dealer to never lay paws on my tires now.

Anybody here use Crowfoot Jeep/Dodge as their "service" dealer?  Goods, bads?

[BlackYJ]

Anybody here use Crowfoot Jeep/Dodge as their "service" dealer?  Goods, bads?

I have used them in the past a few times and they are decent.  Their parts used to be more expensive then other dealers but not lately.  If you want a good shop that is not a dealership in the NW then take it to the Certigard in Silver Springs.  They are very fair down there

[hps4evr]

i know if any of you have the 2007 JK yuo can get the esp turned off at the dealership. its a customer request sort of thing, but it can be done. i am unsure right now if the same process works on the 2008. i can ask though. i dont think the tire rotation will really affect the esp using all 5 tires. and tire rotation pattern has been changing almost every year since i started working on cars 15 years ago. personally i dont cross the tires, but, if you rotate the spare into the mix then you may have no choice. get a tread depth gauge and keep an eye on the tread life.

[HeadHunter]

Like so - Diagram G

In theory, this is the best way to rotate tires. However, what they dont tell you is that you are supposed to remove and remount the tires that are switching sides so that the tires are always moving in the direction they where originally mounted. Directional tires are "directional" because the tread pattern was meant for the tire to be moving in a specific direction when they where first mounted. But what most people dont know is that ALL tires become directional after they have been broken in. The tires rubber develops a directional grain after being driven for awhile after they where first mounted. When you switch sides and dont keep the tire traveling in the direction it originally did, then they will be turning against their grain and that will produce excessive tire wear and off set the tread depth for every tire. Decreasing the life of the tire.

when the tires are removed and remounted on another rim they should also be rebalcanced.

best way to rotate tires for the average joe is to just alternate front to back and keep the spare out of the loop.